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The Great Outdoors: Tent Camping Tips for Family Fun

Tent camping is never a luxury experience, but it can be cozy and comfortable if you make the right preparations for your trip. Follow these tips to keep your family safe and happy during your tent camping trip.

Bring Suitable Bedding

Sleeping on the ground is even less comfortable than you would expect. Not only is the ground hard and cold, but it is usually also slightly uneven, which could leave you with bruises or soreness after what should have been a peaceful night of sleep. If you have a car with a spacious interior, such as the 2016 Mazda CX-5, it’s worth packing an egg crate mattress pad in addition to a standard camping pad. The egg crate structure of the mattress shields you from uncomfortable bumps in the ground and also provides extra insulation on cold nights.

Ear Plugs and Eye Masks

The great outdoors is a place of peace and serenity, right? Not exactly. Depending on where you camp, a variety of critters could conspire to keep you awake at night, including cicadas, owls, and foxes. If you’re planning to sleep past daybreak, it would also be worth packing an eye mask, as tent fabric doesn’t block out sunlight as well as your drapes at home.

Don’t Forget Food and Drink

Official camping grounds usually have a supply of fresh water, but if you’re camping out in the wilderness, you’ll need to bring all your own water or use water purification tablets to create your own from river water. Bring plenty of food and keep it packed away in sealed containers between meals to avoid attracting bears. Remember that the usual food hygiene rules apply when eating outdoors – meat must be heated all the way through to kill bacteria and raw and cooked foods should be kept separate.

Bring Bug Spray

Getting close to nature can be a magical experience, but the magic quickly wears off when you’re covered in bug bites. The CDC recommends using insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin to keep biting insects at bay. Wearing long pants and shirts can also help reduce your attractiveness to ticks, mosquitoes and biting ants.

Stay Out of the Sun

It’s lovely to feel the sun on your face as you step out of your tent in the morning, but UV radiation in sunlight can do serious damage to skin. Always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself. It’s also a good idea to seek shade during the hottest part of the day, when the potential for sunburn is highest.

Have Fun!

A family camping trip is a fantastic opportunity to get away from the stresses of daily life and spend some quality time with the people you love. Plan fun activities for your tent camping trip, such as hiking or swimming. By packing the right equipment and following a few basic safety tips, you can make sure your tent camping trip is both safe and enjoyable for all the family.

Michael Galloway has a military background and uses his experience to create great outdoor camping adventures for his kids. He also likes to share his ideas and suggestions for a safe but fun camping experience with an online audience. Michael writes regularly for several family and lifestyle websites.